Cuomo nominates Prendergast to head MTA

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has nominated Thomas F. Prendergast to serve as chairman and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, according to a press release from Cuomo's office.

Prendergast has served more than three years as president of MTA New York City Transit, which runs the subway and bus system in New York City, and has served as the MTA Interim executive director since Jan. 1. He replaces Joseph Lhota.

"Tom Prendergast is a consummate public transit leader who is the ideal candidate to oversee the nation's largest transportation system," Cuomo said in a press release. "The MTA plays a vital role in New York's economy and the daily lives of the millions of commuters who use its services. Tom has vast experience in infrastructure and transportation and has spent years managing commuter railroads as well as New York City's subways and buses. From the track bed to the budget to modernizing our system for the 21st Century, I can't imagine anyone having a better understanding of how the region's vast system operates and the challenges that it faces."

Prendergast said in a press release: "It is an incredible honor to be nominated to lead the largest transportation network in North America, and to work with Governor Cuomo and his administration on the many challenges facing the MTA.

"The MTA will improve the customer experience, operate more efficiently and build for the future. And we will aggressively rebuild smarter and better in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy," Prendergast said in the press release.